Live Nativity

Whew, Tom Banjo, and I are back from an action-packed holidays! We've accumulated quite a bit of blog backlog, so hopefully you won't mind reading about some pre-Christmas activities.

A couple weeks before Christmas, one of my co-workers told me about a live Nativity scene (Bethlehem SC) in which she was participating. I had never been to one before, but Tom was familiar with the "3 people sitting in front of a hay bale" live Nativities from his childhood. At any rate, Bethlehem SC was an entirely different beast.

The congregation of the church begins construction and preparation in early October. Instead of just a single scene, an entire town is created in the 45,000 square foot church parking lot (which is covered with 150 tons of sand especially for this event. There is a cast of 100 and they get crowds of up to 4500 people per night.

When you first walk through the gates (past the grazing sheep and donkeys), you are ushered to the "Census" where you sign in under the watchful gaze of some well-armed Roman Soldiers. Then the seas of people are parted and Mary and Joseph appear riding a donkey. They gradually make their way up to the manger-stage (after some conversations with various innkeepers), and baby Jesus is born. A huge spotlight Star of Bethlehem is turned on (visible from all over Santa Clara County) and assorted shepherds and kings come to pay homage. One of the kings rode on a litter carried by servants, and two came in on honest-to-goodness Camels.

After the show, there were a bunch of booths exhibiting various period trades and goods. My co-worker was at the wool spinning booth, but there was also a cool woodworking booth, a booth with perfume-making, period games, and many more!

At any rate, Tom and I were both very impressed and surprised at the wonderful production. We'll be sure to get it on our calendar for next year, too.